The children's practice at Miles & Partners LLP is led by Kate Hammond and Ritu Sood. Hammond is highly regarded for her work representing children, particularly in cases involving serious neglect, domestic violence, substance misuse, mental health concerns, and non-accidental injuries. Sood is frequently instructed by guardians in cases concerning sexual abuse and physical harm. Lorraine Green and Gemma Hodder also focus on public law, with Green primarily acting for children’s guardians, and Hodder advising on adoptions and matters relating to abuse. Sherma Polidore advises on both public and private law children cases, with a focus on international abduction, wardship, and Forced Marriage Protection Orders. She is also experienced in advising LGBTQ+ families and in cases involving complex cultural, racial, or religious dynamics.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Sherma Polidore is highly professional and efficient. She provides straightforward instructions. Sherma always acts in the best interests of a client.'
‘Linda Pope particularly is always great to speak to and I can only imagine how reassured her clients feel when instructing her, particularly in an area of law that is so personal to each individual.’
‘Kate Hammond is excellent. She is very experienced, knowledgeable, and robust, when necessary, but also has the ability to reassure and communicate effectively with more vulnerable clients. Kate is highly respected within children law.’
‘Annie Francis is incredibly bright. That intelligence comes through not just in the sharpness of her legal analysis, but in her clear and compelling advocacy and the quality of her instructions. She has a real talent for cutting to the heart of a case, and her judgment—both strategic and human—is always sound. She’s someone I’m always pleased to be instructed by, and equally happy to be against: professional, principled, and consistently impressive.’
‘Strength in depth. From paralegal to partner, Miles & Partners is committed to the client, ensuring that they are properly advised and given the best strategic options in litigation.’
‘Julie Nix is the best solicitor I work with. Empathetic, diligent, able to explain the most difficult concept to any client.’
Work highlights
Acted for the child through the Guardian to secure the child's best interests via an adoption order for A to remain with her foster carers, and a post-adoption contact order for the child to spend significant time with her birth family.
Acted pro bono in a ten day fact finding hearing for a nurse who was involved in a care proceedings case relating to injured babies. Our client was under suspicion along with the parents and two other nurses.
Represented the mother in London Borough of Lambeth v M & Ors [2025] EWFC 55 (B).
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Kate Hammond; Ritu Sood
Other key lawyers
Lorraine Green; Gemma Hodder; Sherma Polidore; David Jockelson; Annie Frances; Dee Akar; Julie Nix